Which Alcohols Should be Refrigerated
                     Which Alcohols Shoul
d be Refrigerated?
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Some alcohols,  l ike pure spirits (whiskey, rum, gin, etc.),  can be stored at room 
temperature and be perfectly safe. That is not the case wil l  al l  alcoholic bottles. Many do 
need to be refrigerated to help keep the integrity and fl avor of the l iquid. So, how do we 
know what needs to be refrigerated? A good general rule to fol low is this: i f  it  is under 
15% alcohol or if  it has a wine base, it belongs in the fridge once it is opened. Let’s get 
into some specifi cs.
Vermouth
• Vermouth is a fortifi ed and infused wine that is often served as an aperitif  or in a 
cocktail .  Because it has a sl ightly higher alcohol content than wine, it won’t oxidize as 
quickly as wine, but it wil l  sti l l  oxidize.
• So, it is best to keep open bottles of vermouth (any kind of  vermouth) in the fridge once 
they are opened.
• Try not to keep your open vermouth in the fridge for too long though. The fl avors in 
vermouth can sti l l  change in the fridge, even after one month. 
Fortified Wines
• This category includes port, sherry, Madeira, and Marsala. The same rules of vermouth 
apply here, but can be extended a l itt le bit.  
• These wines usually have a higher alcohol content, they can be stored, open, in the 
fridge for a few months before the fl avors warp. 
Wine
• While most people know to serve white wine chil led, many don’t realize that al l   wine
 varietals can benefi t from being kept in the fridge. 
• Once open, you want to slow oxidation as much as possible, as regular wine does not 
have the extra alcohol content that fortifi ed wines and vermouth does.
• Wine wil l  oxidize faster — usually only lasting a couple days — but keeping them in the 
fridge slows the process. Just let  red wines warm to room temperature before serving.
Aromatized Wines
• Similar to Vermouth, but made with diff erent infusing elements, this category includes 
items l ike Punt E Mes, Li l let, Quinquinas, and Americanos l ike Cocchi Americano.
• The same rules of vermouth apply to these bottles.
Beer
•  It  should travel from the brewery in a chil led vehicle, should be kept refrigerated in 
the l iquor store, and should go in your fr idge at home.
• Too much time at room temperature can alter the fl avors of the beer.
• This is apparent even when a beer warms to room temperature in a glass. Keep it cold!
INFORMATION SOURCE
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